Top 3 Priorities as an Elementary Assistant Principal: A Reflective Commentary

written by: Dr. La-Trice Johnson

Stepping into the role of an elementary assistant principal feels like being thrown into the deep end of a pool and told to swim. It's a significant shift from teaching in the classroom. You suddenly face a range of responsibilities that you didn’t anticipate. You encounter situations that you prepared for, or did you? Student discipline, parent complaints, teacher expectations, events, and much more can show up in many ways and test your skillset, patience, and endurance.

While you feel excited about this new work and eager to dive in, nobody warned you how challenging the transition would be. Despite this, you push forward with determination and grit. Like any new transition, you learn as you go—entering what could be called the "Learn by Doing" phase of your career. Whether you eased into the pool's shallow end or jumped directly into the deep end, you are now fully immersed. 

So, what comes next? Having been in the thick of it as a new elementary assistant principal, I can attest that each day requires grit, determination, and perseverance. Indeed, you learn by doing. It's essential to recognize that you can’t tackle everything at once if you want to manage the complexities of your new position effectively. To help sort through this transition, I’ve reflected on my experience and have outlined my top three priorities as a new elementary assistant principal:

1. Relationship Building: The Heart of the School

As a teacher, getting to know your students and their parents is essential. This groundwork sets the stage for everything you do. As an assistant principal, however, the need to build relationships expands significantly. Your responsibilities now encompass a broader scope, including students, parents, staff, and community partners. You become immersed in the lively classroom conversations, and your communication with staff evolves. Parents and community partners will look to you for answers, support, and guidance regarding their pressing concerns.

Understanding the critical nature of forming strong partnerships is key. Doing so allows your work to focus more on making progress rather than constantly putting out fires. Therefore, it’s essential to make a conscious effort to be visible. High visibility is crucial: engage in hallway conversations, make quick classroom visits (just to say hello!), and be present in front of the school, on the playground, and at community events.

Let’s talk! The impact of genuine conversations is immense; they can break down barriers and foster trust and understanding. It’s important to get to know the students, teachers, support staff, and parents. Recognizing their needs, concerns, and passions is fundamental to establishing trust and creating a positive school environment. As an elementary assistant principal, I learned the importance of building relationships beyond my immediate classroom. My influence extended to more students, parents, and community partners. The key takeaway is to show up and be present, both physically and emotionally.

2 Supporting Teachers: Positively Impacting Instruction

Student success is fundamentally linked to the quality of instruction provided in the classroom. To foster this success, it is essential to implement effective teaching strategies that accelerate positive student outcomes. As an elementary assistant principal, you play a pivotal role in supporting your teachers by being a valuable resource, an enthusiastic cheerleader, and an effective problem-solver.

 To start, immerse yourself in the curriculum. Familiarize yourself with the learning objectives and standards to gain a deeper understanding of what is being taught. Regularly observe classrooms—not to evaluate performance, but to offer constructive support and encouragement. During these observations, take the time to engage with teachers and actively listen to their challenges and successes.

Be proactive in addressing the diverse needs of your staff. This might involve helping teachers increase student engagement to mitigate challenging behaviors or searching for and providing them with innovative resources and materials that enhance their teaching. Additionally, open lines of communication should be established where teachers feel comfortable sharing their concerns and ideas.

As an assistant principal, your goal is to streamline processes and remove barriers that impede effective teaching. This could mean simplifying administrative tasks, offering professional development opportunities, or facilitating collaboration among staff members. By ensuring that teachers can dedicate their time and energy to what they do best—motivating, inspiring, and educating our students—you contribute significantly to the overall success of the educational environment. Your efforts create a culture of support and continuous improvement, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for every student.

3. Systems Organization: The Complexity Made Simple

You are well aware that schools operate as intricate systems with various procedures and protocols and an overwhelming amount of paperwork. This complexity mirrors that of classroom systems. As a classroom teacher, you established clear procedures, set defined expectations, and adhered to specific protocols to create an effective learning environment, right?

Now, as an elementary assistant principal, you have the opportunity to facilitate these systems on a much grander scale. This role involves deepening your understanding of critical areas such as student attendance, discipline management, safety drills, and effective communication with parents. Each of these components helps the school function smoothly on a daily basis.

Embrace this journey of discovery; you are on a significant learning curve. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and take thorough notes. Gaining insight into the reasoning behind each system—the "why"—is just as crucial as mastering the mechanics of how they function—the "how." 

Ultimately, a well-organized school fosters a safe and productive learning environment. Therefore, mastering the operational aspects of school management is essential for creating a setting where students and educators can thrive.

Remember, it's a journey, not a destination. There will be challenges, triumphs, and many moments that make you smile. Stay committed to learning, growing, and positively impacting our school community.